Gen 4 (2022) Engine block heater questions

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m3olsen

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Hi all, this is my first time owning a vehicle with an engine block heater and Friday night looks to be our first below zero temps. Sorry if repeat, but my search did not bring up any Gen 4 chat about the option. Here are my questions for those in the know:

(1) Owners manual on pg. 186 says to connect the system to 220-240VAC electrical source. That can't possibly be correct, can it? The male plug sure looks like a standard 120V connector. Snippet here to confirm I read it right:
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(2) This seems odd to me, but the factory ran the harness up and have it terminated on the top of the radiator shroud (and aimed at the nose of the vehicle). Does Ford expect you to pop your hood and leave it ajar slightly (so you don't pinch the cord to the house) while you are operating the heater? I would have expected to see it terminate somewhere down near the tow hooks and be able to leave hood closed. Seems a bit idea to leave your hood ajar when it's snowing and blowing around.

Otherwise seems straightforward. Manual says it will draw 0.4 - 1.0 kwh per hour, and to run it up to 3 hours for max efficiency. Any longer than that is wasting energy. Does that match how those of you in cold areas are running it? I'm aware of true cold weather folks adding silicone pads to oil pans and trans housings, but we are only very occasionally below zero here in CNY. Thanks in advance for your input!
 

Gumby

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My block heater cord terminates out by the front license plate holder. To be honest, I have NEVER plugged my truck in and it is not garaged. We also get VERY cold temps here. A month ago we were a full week at -40F. Normally, we sit between 14F and 5F. When it was really cold, I would remote start my truck a couple times in the evening and set a schedule over night. If you are getting barely below 32F then I really wouldn't worry. Also, the plug would be connected to a regular household outlet.
 
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m3olsen

m3olsen

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My block heater cord terminates out by the front license plate holder. To be honest, I have NEVER plugged my truck in and it is not garaged. ... .If you are getting barely below 32F then I really wouldn't worry. Also, the plug would be connected to a regular household outlet.
Thanks @Gumby for sharing your experiences. I appreciate the confirmation that the manual has a typo about input voltage. I should have said below zero F, and yes I'm certainly not stressed about running it any time temps drop below 0F. I want to know how to and would if I had time if for no other reason than to make for an easier start on the engine. Maybe I will look into relocating that connector lead sometime.
 
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